Glad We Had This Chat with Caroline Hirons: A Deep Dive with Nicholas Travis

Episode: S2 Ep19: Nicholas Travis | Release Date: January 13, 2025

In this compelling episode of Glad We Had This Chat, hosted by the renowned skincare expert Caroline Hirons, listeners are treated to an insightful conversation with Nicholas Travis, the visionary founder of the award-winning, science-backed skincare brand Allies of Skin. This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of their discussion, highlighting key points, personal anecdotes, industry insights, and humorous tangents that make this episode both informative and entertaining.

1. Introduction: Setting the Stage

Caroline Hirons kicks off the episode by sharing her excitement over her latest skincare innovation—the Skin Rocks cleansing balm. She enthusiastically describes its luxurious formulation and the meticulous effort invested in perfecting its texture and efficacy.

Caroline Hirons [00:00]: "Transforming from a solid balm to a rich replenishing oil, this barrier nourishing balm is formulated with the same innovative lipid advanced complex as the support oil to deliver supreme skin barrier support."

Following this introduction, Caroline warmly welcomes Nicholas Travis, setting the tone for an engaging and honest conversation about skincare, personal journeys, and industry dynamics.

2. Guest Introduction: Nicholas Travis’s Personal Journey

Nicholas Travis shares his deeply personal story, shedding light on the experiences that propelled him into the skincare industry. He opens up about his struggles with severe acne during his teenage years, which made navigating skincare products both daunting and intimidating.

Nicholas Travis [02:31]: "If I could somehow channel that pain into helping other people feel more fearless or more confident in their skin, then my pain would have been worth it."

Travis recounts a life-altering accident at 19, which led to multiple reconstructive surgeries and complications, including necrosis and infections. This traumatic experience not only affected his physical appearance but also resulted in body dysmorphia, further fueling his determination to make a meaningful impact in the skincare realm.

3. Founding and Growth of Allies of Skin

The conversation delves into the inception of Allies of Skin. Travis explains that after struggling to secure employment post-graduation due to his depression, he revisited his business plan for a skincare startup during his master’s thesis. Despite initial rejections and being the youngest and only Asian in meetings, he persevered.

Nicholas Travis [04:34]: "It was actually really, really difficult to get a foot in the door."

Launching in 2016, Allies of Skin faced significant challenges but gradually established itself as a global sensation, marking itself as the biggest Singaporean beauty brand on the international stage.

4. Scaling the Brand and Securing Investment

A pivotal moment in the discussion revolves around the $20 million investment Allies of Skin secured in April, aimed at expanding the brand into the U.S. market. Travis emphasizes the importance of building a robust team to navigate this expansion.

Nicholas Travis [06:41]: "We are also in the process of recalibrating. We also had to honestly bring on a lot of new people and also let go of a lot of old ones."

He candidly discusses the challenges of scaling—not just in terms of resources but also in aligning with team members who can propel the company beyond the $50 million mark. The investment brings both opportunities and pressures, as Travis acknowledges the necessity of delivering substantial returns to investors.

Nicholas Travis [07:46]: "You have to think like that because it's really, really not free."

5. Innovation in Skincare: Focusing on SPF and Advanced Actives

Travis shares his passion for innovative skincare formulations, particularly focusing on SPF development. He discusses the complexities of creating effective and compliant SPF products for the U.S. market, adhering to the FDA guidelines while striving to surpass the performance of Asian and European filters.

Nicholas Travis [10:21]: "Nothing like it. It's £55, it's ready and waiting and there is no dupe."

Beyond SPF, Travis expresses enthusiasm for integrating growth factors and copper tripeptides into their product line, positioning these as the next wave of skincare innovation beyond the saturated markets of hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.

Nicholas Travis [10:21]: "I think we're past the hyaluronic acid niacinamide again. Nothing wrong with it. But it's been done."

6. Personal Skincare Journey and Lessons Learned

Travis reflects on his negative experiences with over-the-counter products like Proactive and invasive treatments such as CO₂ laser therapy, which exacerbated his melasma and led to further skin damage.

Nicholas Travis [19:03]: "I caused myself even more. More issues."

These experiences taught him valuable lessons about self-care vs. self-harm, leading him to advocate for treatments that support skin health without causing additional trauma. He now focuses on skin boosters and stem cell therapies in Bangkok, emphasizing the importance of gentle yet effective treatments.

Nicholas Travis [20:22]: "I have to stay away from heat based treatments, which means no, no lasers because they're all heat."

7. Off-Topic Fun: Earwax Removal and Animal Fears

In a lighthearted detour, Caroline and Nicholas humorously discuss earwax removal videos, expressing both fascination and bewilderment at the lengths people go to for skincare and hygiene. This segment showcases their candid and relatable dynamic.

Caroline Hirons [28:09]: "They're overtaking pimple spot. Because I can do pimples every day at work. I don't need to watch that. But the ear wax removal, I don't."

They also delve into their fears of animals, particularly snakes and sharks, intertwining personal anecdotes with humorous observations about animal-related skincare trends and treatments.

8. Personal Routines and Travel Skincare

Nicholas shares his extensive travel regimen, highlighting the logistical challenges of maintaining a consistent skincare routine across multiple cities. His approach involves carrying two suitcases equipped with silk sheets, pillows, and a comprehensive array of skincare products and supplements.

Nicholas Travis [36:51]: "I travel every like this week I'm in London, then I go to Berlin and then I go to LA. Then I go to Bangkok."

He emphasizes the importance of dedication and preparation in keeping his skincare routine intact despite the demands of frequent international travel.

9. Industry Trends: Praises and Criticisms

The discussion turns to broader skincare industry trends, with Travis commending the increased focus on retinaldehyde and barrier care, which align with Allies of Skin’s commitment to clinical efficacy.

Nicholas Travis [39:43]: "It's been really great that everybody's talking about Retinol dehyde."

However, he criticizes certain trends, particularly the overemphasis on sustainability through refillable packaging, arguing that the practical application often falls short.

Nicholas Travis [40:35]: "The most sustainable thing is to not buy anything. I'm in a business of creating newness... So it's an annoying aspect for me."

Caroline echoes these sentiments, highlighting the inconsistency in consumer behavior regarding refills and sustainable practices.

Caroline Hirons [41:46]: "They're not going to refill something four or five times."

10. Personal Reflections and Fears

Towards the end of the episode, both Caroline and Nicholas open up about their personal fears. Caroline confesses her fear of mediocrity—a concern about not being fully invested or performing to her highest potential. She elaborates on her childhood experiences and how they shaped her drive for excellence.

Caroline Hirons [42:17]: "Mediocrity... doing something that I'm not 100% invested in."

Nicholas shares a profound reflection from a transformative experience in Bhutan, where he embraced the philosophy of being "nothing" to attain everything. This mantra helps him navigate the pressures of the skincare industry and his personal struggles with self-acceptance.

Nicholas Travis [43:53]: "I want to focus on the person I am rather than what I have on the outside. I want to be nothing."

The conversation concludes with a light-hearted exchange about animal encounters and maintaining personal boundaries, reinforcing the genuine and personable rapport between the hosts and the guest.

Conclusion: Continuing the Conversation

Caroline wraps up the episode by promoting the upcoming live tour and encouraging listeners to engage with future episodes and the Skin Rocks app for continued skincare insights and education.

Caroline Hirons [49:01]: "You can hear much more from our chat this Wednesday in our Listeners Questions episode."

Listeners are reminded to subscribe and follow the podcast for more enlightening discussions on skincare, beauty, and beyond.

Notable Quotes:

• Nicholas Travis [02:31]: "If I could somehow channel that pain into helping other people feel more fearless or more confident in their skin, then my pain would have been worth it."

• Nicholas Travis [04:34]: "It was actually really, really difficult to get a foot in the door."

• Nicholas Travis [07:46]: "You have to think like that because it's really, really not free."

• Caroline Hirons [00:00]: "Transforming from a solid balm to a rich replenishing oil, this barrier nourishing balm is formulated with the same innovative lipid advanced complex as the support oil to deliver supreme skin barrier support."

• Nicholas Travis [10:21]: "Nothing like it. It's £55, it's ready and waiting and there is no dupe."

Final Thoughts:

This episode of Glad We Had This Chat offers a blend of personal vulnerability, industry expertise, and humorous banter, making it a must-listen for skincare enthusiasts and professionals alike. Nicholas Travis’s journey from battling severe acne and facial trauma to establishing a global skincare brand provides valuable insights into the resilience and innovation driving the beauty industry today. Caroline Hirons, with her signature frankness and expertise, ensures that the conversation remains authentic, insightful, and highly engaging throughout.